Pictured left to right are the March, 2016 Citizens of the Month at Blue Ridge Elementary School: back row - Leigha McCain, Shelby Seamans, Jack Donohue, Morgan Thomas; row 3 - Brendan Marvin, Aaron Griemsmann, Mason Millard, Caelus Fleeger, Katelyn Scott; row 2 - Isabella Shea, Abygaile Groover, Hailey Carpenetti, Daniel Martel, Myra Woosman, Aireonna Harvey; front - Liam Biermann, Angela Evans, Jacob Heaman, Liam Dutcher, Adryanna Connolly. Absent from photo - Khloe Palmer, Melia Mess, Emily Klock, Marissa Fiske, Jesse Robbins.

Dr. Alice M. Davis, Executive Director of the Susquehanna County Career and Technology Center (SCCTC), is proud to announce the SCCTC’s “Students of the Month” for March 2016.

SCCTC March, 2016 Students of the Month (L-R) are: – front - Krista Squier, Courtney Shafer, Arianna DeGrote, Alyssa Sickler, Madison Sickler, Brittany Bennett, SCCTC Executive Dr. Alice M. Davis; back - Faith Turner, Samantha Delesky, Austin Spencer, Owen Vosburg, Christopher Arnold, Gavin Kelley, Brianna Williams, Noah Cobb, Ryan Stone. Missing from photo: Griffin Kasson, Logan Moon, Karissa Watson, Jonathon DeMann, Breanna Monelli, Robert Norcross, Kyle Hitchcock.

Not since 2009 have the Forest City girl’s basketball team won a title; that changed this year when the girl’s basketball team victoriously captured the Lackawanna League Title.  The girls were honored as well as head coach John Duffy, assistant coach Sheri Adams, and volunteer coach Tracy Hartman at the School Board meeting on Monday, April 11, 2016.  There were individual accomplishments along with the Title; Kendra Bendyk and Mackenzie Hartman were selected as Lackawanna League 1st team All Stars.  Anna Congdon was selected to participate in the Lackawanna League Senior All Star game and Coach John Duffy was selected to coach that all-star game.  Superintendent Dr. Jessica Aquilina and the School Board presented the team and coaches with “Division Champ” jackets.

Senior Anna Congdon was previously recognized as Outstanding Senior back in September, but based on a new prestigious accomplishment she was chosen for this month Outstanding Senior once again.  Anna, a talented artist has been awarded a 2016 National Scholastic Art Gold Medal for her art work “Lush Blush”.  National Medalists for this award represent less than one percent of the three hundred and twenty thousand submissions.  This prestigious award has been given to the likes of Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, Robert Redford, who are just some of the past recipients.  Anna and her teacher, Mrs. Galinsky, will attend a National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall.  Anna’s artwork will be featured in a National Exhibition at Parsons School of Design at the New School, and Pratt Institute Manhattan Gallery.

Mahala Sampson won a gold medal for her artwork last year, which makes Anna Congdon Forest City Regional’s second Gold Medalist.  Mrs. Galinsky was congratulated and thanked because the honor is a reflection of her hard work and dedication to the students.

Dominick Evans ,who plans to go to Lackawanna College next year to study Sports Management and play on the soccer team was recognized as Outstanding Senior.  Dominick has been on the soccer team for four years and served as co-captain this year.  Some of Dominick’s accomplishments were being selected for the Lackawanna League all-stars; filming the Varsity boy’s basketball games; and oversaw and operated the concession stand for the FC Youth Soccer League.

Monique Barrese, who plans to become a Physicians Assistant, was recognized as Outstanding Senior.  Monique is the secretary of National Honor Society, president of the art club, six-year member of Student Council, and an active member of the Ski Club.  Monique was a captain of the soccer team this year and selected to play in the UNICO Senior All Star Game. In her junior year Monique received Honorable Mention at the scholastic competition for her art project, and was the co-captain of the softball team.  This year she has been selected as the head captain of the softball team.

During the meeting donations were recognized.  Eileen Lynch presented the School Board with a check for twelve hundred and fifty dollars from the First National Bank of Forest City, and a twelve hundred and fifty dollar check from the Forest City Area Rotary Organization to be used to purchase an athletic scoring table.  Superintendent Dr. Jessica Aquilina stated the score table is a professional one; the size is ten feet, its padded and electronic.  There is room enough for two scorekeepers, and one timekeeper.

Superintendent Aquilina gave a little background on a one thousand dollar donation from “the running community”.  She said the man wanted to be kept anonymous, but he was from Brooklyn, NY, and ran in the Steamtown Marathon.  This person informed Superintendent Aquilina that he runs in other Marathons, but Forest City was the “BEST” starting line, as a runner.  She informed both William King and Mr. Osborn, who are in charge of the Steamtown Marathon about what this person said, and about the donation.  Superintendent Aquilina said the students, faculty and others involved with the starting line should be very proud.

In the Superintendent’s report, Dr. Aquilina said the one hundred-book challenge started and was going well, and she thanked the board for accepting the challenge.  She also thanked Acting Elementary Principal Mrs. Dennebaum for coordinating the training, and getting the program up and running.

Superintendent Aquilina recognized one of their seniors, Neal Albright who was selected to the Scranton Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar team.  The Superstar team recognizes a few select students throughout the region for academic and scholastic success throughout the high school career.

The Elementary School had their Science Fair, and it was a great success. Superintendent Aquilina said she spoke with the students and was very impressed with how they spoke about their projects, and their ability to articulate how they were created.

On April 7th there was a pre-bid meeting with the contractors for the new renovation project.  Superintendent Aquilina stated there were sixteen contractors at the meeting and they were able to discuss the project.  On April 21st, at 3:30 pm there will be an open public meeting to open the bids.

The last day of school is scheduled for June 10th.

Mr. Marc Weisgold, Elementary Principal at the Elk Lake School, is pleased to announce the March, 2016 Student of the Month Award winners.

Pictured (L-R) are: first row - John Karschner, Savannah Woodruff, Taylor Traver, Aaron Ball, Tristan Shingler, Jesse Fenton, Hannah Vosburg; second row- Aaron Rhinebolt, Landon Wells, Madelynn Grover, Melissa Acevedo-Vasquez , Quenton Reid, Kendyl Weisgold, Leland Simmons, Fenton Smith, Olysyn Davis, Trevor Anderson,  Mr. Marc Weisgold.

Students in kindergarten, first and second grade were selected by their homeroom teachers.  Students may be selected as student of the month from four different areas.  Those four areas are academic achievement, attendance, citizenship and most improved.

Elk Lake is proud of their students and congratulates them for their accomplishments.

FOURTH GRADE: Jamillet Aguiniga, Brandon Alvord, James Anderson, Noah Barnes, Daniel Belcher, Chloe Belotti, Shaun Bills, Kevin Cosklo, Ava Depew, Logan Dick, Carissa Flynn, Holly Harvatine, Vanessa Harvey, Joseph Heller, Rachel Hunter, Riley Jagger, Kayla Kasa, Alexis Kozlowski, Emma Long, Ronald Raffensberger IV, Lillian Sedlak, Mikaela Stout, Paige Strickland, Sophia Welk, Penelope Ziegler.

FIFTH GRADE: Wesley Anderson, Carter Bain, Nicole Baker, Charlize Barhite, Gavin Bewley, Briana Boswell, Zayvion Bradford, Ariel Brodeur, Owen Cameron,

Kinsey Catalfamo, Lauren Clancy, Emily Cosklo, Alex Empet, Leah Evans, Clayton Frasier, Alyson Frederici, Michael Gaynor, Amber George, Michaela Hammond, Hailey Hojewski, Caden Holtsmaster, Elijah Kamensky, Alexander Karp, David Kielar, Ethan Komora, Jack Kowalewski, Hunter Kozloski, Genevieve Larkin, Nicholas Lemoncelli, Aiyana McElroy, Taylor Neri, Jessie Noldy, Scott O'Dell, Dillon Pallman, Bailey Reuss, Jacob Robinson, Sierra Rogenkamp, Deegan Ross, Raelyn Sanders, Cody Shay, Tanner Stout, Joseph Swetter, Jonathon Symuleski, Adia Tompkins, Alexis Turner, Jordyn Walker, Alex Zech.

SIXTH GRADE: Cohen Anderson, Skyler Ball, James Bernosky, Travis Bridgeman, Benjamin Burman, Casey Congdon, Lauren Dick, Avery Fortuner, Emma Frisbie, Rachael Gerfin, Lillian Harvey, Ryan Henke, Deanna Holbert, Delaney Hollenbeck, Ciara Hundley, Kristian Jaimes, Macie Kelley, Kathryn Long, Makenzie Lowrie, Emma Master, Andrew McHenry, Stephanie Nichols, Kevin Noldy, Michael Nowlin, Nathan Ofalt, Paul Pashchuk III, Victoria Pellew, Rebecca Plomchok, Ragan Poplawski, Ava Presley, Savannah Robinson, Collin Saam, Maressa Salansky, Nicholas Schmidt, Kayla Seignious, Emily Streich, Maura Strickland, Sophia Striefsky, Shannon Toolan, Keila Zick, Megan Zipprich.

Following is the Susquehanna Community High School 3rd Marking Period Honor Roll for the 2016-16 school year.

Highest Honors 93 -100

12th Grade –  Daniel Braun, Collins, Cori Glidden, Kaitlyn Gow, Ashley Hallisey, Allison Hampton, Marissa Hodge, Alyssa Hubal, Kendra Papocchia, Miranda Rhone, Nicole Sherman, Kayla Wayman.

11th Grade – Madison Canfield, Hannah Day, Garret Grausgruber, Evan Haley, Jessica Lamb, Saige Perry, Skyler Voege, Kathryn Woodruff.

10th Grade –  Emily Frye, Bridget Iveson, Tristan Megivern, Kaylin Trynoski, Skyla Wilson.

9th Grade –  Angel Bieloski, Michael Braun, Cierra Cotter, Devon Dubanowitz, Emily Fremberg, Lia Heath, Kaylee Landry, Rhiannon Potter, Chloe Tinklepaugh.

8th Grade – Carson Beamer, Jaycie Conklin, Rachel Day, Taylor Huyck, Jonathan Jenkins, Shania Megivern, Geena Miller, Mackenzie Steele,  Kailye Towner, Meaghan Towner.

7th Grade – Cortney Bennett, Austin Gow, Ella Hansen, Sophie Lawrenson.

Honor Roll 90-92.99

12th Grade – Baily Barnes, Breanna Bushong, Zachary Collins, James Cottrell, Donna Jo Decker, Michael Pelicci, Rachel Serfilippi, Dylan Stout, Alyssa Sweeney   11th Grade – Slone Chandler, Gabrielle Glover, Jonathan Teribury, Alexandria Warring  10th Grade – Isabella Abruzzo, Kendra Colwell, Elizabeth Delaney, Madisson Stanford, Kelsey Swartz, Stephen Vivona  9th Grade –  Ryan Carmody, Bethany Maby, Cody MacDonald, McKenzie Rhone, Adam Rockwell, Canyon Stone   8th Grade –  Nichole Anthony, Dylan Crawford, Mackenzie Heath, Jakub Tomczyk, Samantha Voege    7th Grade – JD Heckman, Leah Place

Merit Roll 85-89.99

12th Grade – Henry Ainey, Haley Aldrich, Gabrielle Cina, Sean Elliott, Brandon Gow, Miranda Groover, Ashley Meck, Codi O’Dell, Trevor Passetti, Joseph Sandfort, Tyler Seidel.

11th Grade – Shaun Andersen, Taylor Bennett, Brittany Burlingame, Holly Christensen, Marisa Conklin, Angelica DeLong, Michael Hilkert, Lyndsey Mroz, Robert Murphy, Haley Rhone, Shayna Slocum, Lauren Soden, Makayla Sullivan, Taylor Williams, Amy Zebrowski.

10th  Grade – Kolby Baker, Faith Benedict, Chelsea Bush, Marisa Kenny, Emily Lawrenson, Alexander McHugh, Nicholas Wayman.

9th Grade – Christopher Ayres, Justin Belvedere,  Megan Hackett, Eric Hall, Cheyenne Kelley, Jordan King, William Perry III, Benjamin Prentice, Payton Rhone, Kevin Silfee, Nicole Swanson, Jessica Teribury, Ashley Wallace, MacKenzie Williams.

8th Grade – Ryan Armitage, Elizabeth Barnes, Harlee Burns, James Clark, Samantha Fox, Catherine Hugaboom, Alexis Macazan, Jazmyn Miller, Alyssa Monks, Matthew Phillips, Dakota Sanders, Alexandrea Seaman, Emily Seman, Alecia Towner,  Kelsey Treible.

7th Grade – Gavin Baker, John Barry, Jeff Bradley, Caleigh Carrillo, Zachary Consla, Dalton Crowley, Garrett Decker, Jacob Downton, Jasmine Funk, Kyleigh Jones, Joseph Murphy, James Paynter, Rachel Rockwell, Emily Sheldon, Cole Soden, Elizabeth Stewart, Kimberly Swartz, Madison Towner, Brooke Welch, Robert Wolf.

Following is the Mountain View Jr. Sr. High School 3rd term of the 2015-16 school year

7th Grade: Sydney Barhite, Emory Bewley, Holly Galvin, Connor Mancuso, Marisa Ostir, Peyton Phillips, Chase Poplawski, Avery Tompkins, Nathan Wells.

8th Grade: Kailey Bridgeman, Andrea Ofalt, Tosha Shay, Mackenzie Wilbur, Emma Zipprich.

9th Grade: Sarah Alessi, Jacob Andzulis, Evan Clarkson, Alexandria DeWolfe, Alyssa Kelly, Selena Knowlton, Lena Penny, Matthew Schwarztrauber, Lily Virbitsky.

10th Grade: Lucy Adams, Sarah Carpenetti, Emma DeMark, Sophia Ficarro, David Shea, Kyle Streich.

11th Grade: Jessica Fanelli, Cara Farnham, Zebin Feduchak, Israel Ficarro, Matthew Lavin, Jon Master, Kayla Mecca, Lauren Schmidt, Audrey Shay, Hollyanne Stanziale, Tyler Wakalowski.

12th Grade: Devin Ball, Jordan Bomersheim, Collin Burt, Deon Faramelli, Seth Fluck, Brandon Freely, Travis Hartman, Emmett Jodon, Trevor Mills, Joseph Nally Jr., Stephanie Ostir, Natalia Parjane, Hannah Phillips, Alexandria Pollock, Alison Showalter, Kaitlyn Tyson-McCarthy.

Following is the third term honor roll for the 2015-16 school year at Mountain View Jr. Sr. High School.

7th Grade: Morgan Belcher, Emily Biesecker, Michael DeWolfe, Alan Fortuner, Hannah Geron, Katie Glover, Morgan Hammond, Alycia Harvey, Ashlynd Harvey, Madison Hunter, Aiden Long, Destiny McCarey, Katelyn Supancik, Riley Weida.

8th Grade: Hailey Andrews, Alyssa Bollard, Kristofer Boswell, Kaylee Evans, Tyler Henke, Brianna Hildebrand, Dylan Hollenbeck, KayLee LeMaster, Camdyn Rusek, Sofie Swetter, Kathryn Tracy, Tyler Zech.

9th Grade: Scarlett Catalfamo, Alyssa Evans, Travis Getz, Dylan Hancock, Madison Hegedty, Katelyn Satunas, Alexus Wilbur.

10th Grade: Anna Donnelly, Erika Freely, Matthew Gates, John George, Samantha Jones, Holly O’Brien, Austin Rudock, Gerald Rusek, Alexander Showalter, Denise Vonada.

11th Grade: Cailin Burney, Audrey Cameron, Jesse Gerfin, William Jennings, Nathaniel Jones, Jordan Kochmer, Abagail Mecca, Amanda Moran, Grace Perera, Gregory Tracy.

12th Grade: Leanna Allen, Dane Barhite, Courtney Bognatz, Dustin Denby, Randall Farr, Dempsey Hollenbeck, Dakota Jones, Madison Kohinsky, James McDermott, Brandon Perini, Hannah Richner, Deborah Roberts, Christopher Schutz, Karlee Weida.

ANNVILLE, PA (04/12/2016)-- Amy Overpeck of New Milford, Pa., was recently inducted into a Sigma Alpha Pi at Lebanon Valley College during the College's annual Inquiry celebration.

Overpeck, a graduate of Pocono Mountain East High School, is pursuing a bachelor of science in neuroscience at The Valley.

Membership is limited to senior students who have achieved a 3.6 GPA, completed 24 credits of LVC coursework, and earned a bronze, silver, or gold community service award.

Area teachers, parents and grandparents were recently treated to an informative, professional development session at Marywood University by Patricia Carpenter, teacher of the Gifted at the Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center.  This is the second year she has been involved with the Trout in the PA Classroom, which is an interdisciplinary program where students learn about cold water conversation by raising brook trout from eggs to fingerlings in a classroom aquarium.  The program is made available through the unique partnership of the PA Council of Trout Unlimited and the PA Fish and Boat Commission, and teachers tailor the program to fit their curricular needs.

Mrs. Carpenter has interrelated science, math, ecology, literature, poetry, and art while using the trout as theme.  In order to share her love of the project as well as to encourage other teachers to learn about the program, she presented a unique, professional development session sponsored by NPRA.  Some of the students, who are involved in the program actively, participated in the presentation.  They read their poetry, read their science reports, and talked about their artwork. 

Mrs. Carpenter explained how she got involved with raising the trout and was honest to share that there were skeptics along the way when she proposed the project.  Raising funds was also a major undertaking.  She explained the steps leading to the culmination of the trout project and the many activities, which have become a part of the program through an informative pictorial Power Point. She included photos of the center she has created in the school, with the fish tank as the center along with the art projects displayed and a large bulletin board filled with additional information. On display during the presentation were the students’ watercolor paintings, their paper mache trout, posters of their quilt and a binder of pen pal letters from across the United States.

The release of the trout will take place on Friday, May 13th in the Tunkhannock Creek behind the Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center in Factoryville.   Mrs. Carpenter has arranged for speakers to present information at educational stations which the students will rotate through during the afternoon.  The culminating event will be the release of the trout they have so lovingly raised and will then set free.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Reading Association (NPRA) is a professional organization serving Lackawanna, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties devoted to the improvement of all aspects of reading.  They provide extensive professional development opportunities and family programs on a variety of topics at different locations throughout the area including schools, libraries, colleges, and universities.  This presentation by Mrs. Carpenter was one of the examples of the opportunities that the association provides.

Mrs. Patricia Carpenter, teacher of the gifted at the Lackawanna Trail Elementary Center, poses with her students during their presentation of a professional development session at Marywood University for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Reading Association (NPRA).

Pictured (L-R) are: Brayden Clarke, Jayde Waibel, Emmy Jones, Patricia Carpenter, Sophie Haus, and Gavin Waibel.